70 things that Careem did in 2018

It’s been a big year for Careem, from launching into new countries and enabling women to become Captains in Saudi Arabia to charity initiatives and whole new verticals of business, we’ve been working hard to improve lives all across the region. Here are just 70 of the things that we did throughout 2018.

JAN 15 – Became the first ride-hailing company to launch in Baghdad as we contributed towards the rebuilding of Iraq

JAN 22 – Raised $100,000 in donations for MENA refugees through region-wide initiative

JAN 22 – Expanded our services into Sargodha to improve mobility for the 650,000 residents.

JAN 25 – Helped 1,000 entrepreneurs in Pakistan to start their own business.

JAN 31 – Expanded the Careem service to the 2.3 million people living in Mardan

FEB 4 – Handed out complimentary gift baskets in Pakistan.

FEB 11 – We reduced prices in Abu Dhabi making it even more accessible for people to get around the UAE capital.

FEB 14 – We launched GO Mini in Pakistan.

FEB 14 – Made it possible to rent a cruise boat in Jeddah via the Careem app.

FEB 15 – Received over 1,000 application from Saudi women to become Captinahs ahead of lifting of Saudi driving ban.

FEB 17 – Introduced inter-city travel in Pakistan.

FEB 18 – We’re always looking to invest in technology and we acquired RoundMenu as we began a move into the delivery industry.

MAR 6 – Reduced our rates to make ride even more affordable. 

MAR 8 – On International Women’s Day we made a promise to hire 20,000 Captinahs by 2020

MAR 27 – Set up a partnership with Landmark Group to give discounts to Careem users.

MAR 29 – Launched our services in Quetta, bringing improved mobility and jobs to the 2.2m people living there.

MAR 30 – We’re creating between 60,000 and 70,000 jobs per month, enough to fill a football stadium

APR 1 – We announced on April 1 that we will soon be taking customers to space, via the new SPACE beta app.

APR 13 – Joined with a social initiative to help feed 10,000 poor Pakistanis

APR 22 – Teamed up with the UN refugee agency UNHCR to launch car type to raise money for the charity.

MAY 4 – Provided an ambulance service in Pakistan.

MAY 8 – Began offering trike trips in Dubai Marina. 

MAY 9 – Launched an education programme for Captains’ children.

MAY 15 – We made it easier to get financing for rickshaws

MAY 17 – Provided free cars to collect surplus food for donation during Ramadan.

MAY 31 – Launched environmentally-friendly Tesla cars on the Careem app so you can help the environment and travel quietly. 

MAY 29 – Began offering a cheaper service in Abu Dhabi to bring mobility to even more people.

JUNE 3 – Gave free rides to people in Palestine wanting to get to the Mosque during Ramadan.

JUNE 10 – Our managing director Junaid spoke at TEDx. 

JUNE 11 – Made travelling with children even safer with launch of award-winning child seats.

JUNE 21 – Provided discounted heathcare to our Captains.

JUNE 24 – We helped women in Saudi Arabia move from the back seat to the front as we welcomed our first female Captainahs.

JUL 2 – Gave refugee in Jordan a platform to speak.

JUL 3 – When Pakistan was hit by the heaviest rains in 38 years and cities were flooded we arranged boats to get people around the flooded areas.

JUL 12 – Handed out 5,547 meals to homeless people in Morocco.

JUL 12 – We partnered to support El Dar Programme – a midway house, which is used as a safe shelter for women survivors of violence or women and children at risk.

JUL 15 – Helped reduce traffic congestion in Egyptian cities with our bike service.

JUL 15 – Took part in the in the A.I. Summer Camp Programme with the UAE Minister for State for Artificial Intelligence Office, and helped encourage young people from the region to get involved in tech.

JUL 21 – We celebrated our sixth birthday

JUL 21 – We set up an MOU to work with two taxi firms in Morocco.

JUL 26 – We gave free rides to people in Pakistan on election day to help get them to the polls. 

AUG 2 – Added a new addition to the app in Saudi Arabia to help visually impaired customers.

AUG 16 – Careem was a winner at the Digi Awards 2018.

AUG 9 – We helped over 3,000 Pakistani captains become car owners and entrepreneurs.

AUG 11 – Handed out ice creams in Iraq, just because we thought it was a nice thing to do.

AUG 25 – Careem’s sustainability team partnered with World Wildlife Fund to collect funds for the plantation of 10,000 trees in Pakistan on Independence Day.

AUG 30 – Expanded reach to offer a delivery service in Pakistan.

SEP 1 – Launched services in Sukkur, Pakistan, bringing affordable mobility and jobs to a further 500,000 people.

SEP 3 – We reached one million Captains on the Careem app, meaning that’s one million jobs we have created since we launched.

SEP 9 – We officially started our services in Khartoum – our first city in Sudan and our 14^th country overall.

SEP 10 – We acquired the bus service shuttle app Commut.

SEP 29 – We went to the UN and announced a commitment to upskilling 200 refugees.

OCT 1 – We launched a new service in Muscat in partnership with Marhaba Taxi to become the only ride hailing operator to offer a service across all six GCC countries.

OCT 3 – Announced that we have started a policy of unlimited vacation for Careem employees. 

OCT 4 – To support Breast Cancer awareness month we gave away 500 mammography vouchers. 

OCT 5 – Addressed the attendees at Techcrunch Disrupt in Lebanon.

OCT 7 – Signed an MOU with Qatar Rail to provide a fare promotion.

OCT 10 – We expanded our services to Bahawalpur bringing Careem’s services to 800,000 people there. 

OCT 11 – Began testing peer-to-peer credit transfer as we expand our service into payments.

OCT 18 – Secured the first close of a $500m investment round.

OCT 31 – Announced we were one of the most diverse tech companies – and why that’s so important.

NOV 6 – Delivered flu vaccinations direct to homes in cities and provinces across Saudi Arabia.

NOV 7 – Distributed free smog kits in Pakistan.

NOV 7 – Launched the Business Profile feature to help business travellers separate their work life from personal on the Careem app.

NOV 11 – Signed a partnership deal with Abu Dhabi to collaborate to enhance the tourist experience in the capital.

NOV 20 – Provided earning opportunities to Emiratis and sons and daughters of Emirati women living in Abu Dhabi.

NOV 26 – We helped make the streets of Alexandria more wheelchair friendly.

DEC 2 – Our Captains created the largest GPS tracked message for National Day

DEC 4 – We launched a bus service in Egypt as we moved into mass transportation.

DEC 6 – Our CEO and co-founder was included in the Bloomberg 50 list of people who are changing the global business landscape.

DEC 17 – Careem NOW launches food delivery stating with Dubai and Jeddah.

DEC 18 – Careem was voted the Best Brand Voice in MENA on Twitter.